Blairstown, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Blairstown, Benton County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Blairstown?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 114 days in the Benton forecast zone and Benton County — the most common reported hazard around Blairstown, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (81 days) and flash flooding (20 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 114 | Jun 2026 | Dec 15, 2021 · 1 death |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 81 | Nov 2025 | Jan 5, 2005 · $10,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 20 | Aug 2025 | Jun 18, 2010 · $250,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 18 | Jan 2019 | — |
| Flooding | 16 | Jun 2020 | Jun 1, 2008 · $10 million damage |
| High winds | 13 | Feb 2016 | Apr 6, 1997 · $100,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 13 | Dec 2024 | Feb 24, 2007 · $2.1 million damage |
| Blizzards | 12 | Mar 2026 | Jan 22, 2005 · $5,000 damage |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, 1996–2026 (the latest year is partial). A "day" is a date with at least one report in the Benton forecast zone and Benton County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Blairstown get?
A normal year brings about 28 inches of snow to Blairstown, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Belle Plaine weather station 10.1 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (7.8 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.4 | 1.8 | 6.3 | 7.8 | 7.4 | 3.4 | 0.8 | 0.0 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Blairstown?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDVN (Quad Cities, IA), about 80 miles east-southeast. Radar beams climb as they travel, so the height of the lowest scan over town decides how low in a storm the radar can see.
| Radar | Distance | Lowest beam over Blairstown | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 80 mi east-southeast | 6,900 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 85 mi west | 7,600 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 140 mi north-northeast | 16,200 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
Beam height is the center of the 0.5° scan above the radar, with standard refraction. Mountains near a radar can block it further.
Tornado & hail history near Blairstown
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 127 tornadoes within 25 miles of Blairstown, 26 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and April. The strongest was an F4 on August 26, 1965, which passed about 24 miles north of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF1 on July 11, 2025, which passed about 8 miles north-northwest of town.
Hail: 388 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 30 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on August 8, 1988.
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center — tornadoes 1950–2025, hail 1955–2025. Distances are to each tornado's track; ratings before February 2007 use the original Fujita scale.
On TALON you get Blairstown's live radar loop, rain/snow/ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks with arrival times and NWS warnings free; close-up radar and rotation detection are part of TALON Pro.
Blairstown radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Blairstown, IA?
KDVN (Quad Cities, IA), about 80 miles east-southeast. KDMX (Des Moines, IA) is 85 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Blairstown?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Blairstown the lowest scan from KDVN is about 6,900 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Blairstown free?
Yes — the US radar loop, rain/snow/ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and NWS warnings are free in any browser. Close-up radar, rotation detection and longer forecasts are part of TALON Pro.
Should I rely on radar for my safety?
No app replaces official warnings. When the National Weather Service issues a warning for Blairstown, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Marengo, IA radar 8 mi
- Belle Plaine, IA radar 10 mi
- Atkins, IA radar 13 mi
- Walford, IA radar 13 mi
- Fairfax, IA radar 16 mi
- Williamsburg, IA radar 17 mi
- Vinton, IA radar 18 mi
- Palo, IA radar 18 mi
- Cedar Rapids, IA radar 21 mi
- Dysart, IA radar 22 mi